COLONEL NORTHsaid, he wished to ask the Under Secretary for War, When the Turkish medal and order of the Medjidi would be distributed to those officers and men of the army who were entitled to them? He hoped that he should not be thought to be taking up the time of the House improperly when he reminded hon. Members that nearly two years had elapsed since the war ceased, and not a single medal had been distributed.
§ SIR JOHN RAMSDENsaid, he could assure the hon. and gallant Gentleman that there had been no remissness on the part of the Government. There had been repeated communications between this country and Constantinople, and within the last few days a despatch had been received from Lord Stratford de Redcliffe, stating, with regard to the Medjidi medals, that the delay arose merely from the time necessary for the Sultan's jewellers to prepare so large a number. There was no allusion to the Turkish medals, but he presumed they would be sent at the same time.
COLONEL NORTHsaid, he wished to know whether it was true that the medals had been in the possession of our Ambassador for more than one year, if not for nearly two years?
§ SIR JOHN RAMSDENsaid, he was not in a position to answer the question. 359 He was not aware whether they were in the possession of the Ambassador.
§ SIR JOHN PAKINGTONsaid, he would now ask whether the hon. Gentleman was able to state to what class of officers the medal would be given?
§ SIR JOHN RAMSDENsaid, the Turkish medal would be given, he believed, on the same principle as the Crimean medal, to all the officers and men who served with the Turkish troops in the Crimea. With regard to the Order of the Medjidi, there were five classes, and when the Orders were received a Return would be laid on the Table of the House of the different officers who would be entitled to receive them.